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Iran state media run altered images of gown worn by Michelle Obama in Oscars appearance

The first lady wore a sleeveless, scoop neck gown. The semi-official Fars news agency ran an altered photo that covered her shoulders and neckline with added material. State TV showed images that blurred the parts of her body that were exposed.

In this handout photo provided by The White House, First lady Michelle Obama announces the Best Picture Oscar to Argo for the 85th Annual Academy Awards live from the Diplomatic Room of the White House Feb. 24. (The White House / GETTY IMAGES)

This photo is an altered version that Iran's semi-official Fars news agency ran on their website, with Michelle Obama's shoulders and neckline covered with added material to make her gown look less revealing. (Chris Pizzello / AP/Fars)

By The Associated Press

Tues., Feb. 26, 2013

TEHRAN, IRAN—Iranian state media has run altered images of U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s Oscars appearance, making her gown look less revealing.

The first lady wore a sleeveless, scoop neck gown. The semi-official Fars news agency ran an altered photo that covered her shoulders and neckline with added material. State TV showed images that blurred the parts of her body that were exposed.

Under Iran’s Islamic dress code, women are required to cover their bodies in public. Films showing foreign women without a headscarf are considered acceptable, but revealing clothes are forbidden.

For the Oscars ceremony, Michelle Obama at the White House joined Jack Nicholson via video link to help present the best picture prize for Argo, a film based on the escape of six American hostages from the besieged U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Fars said the first lady’s announcement suggested that the film was made with U.S. government support. Iranian officials have dismissed Argo as a CIA commercial.

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